The prospects for growth in the wider British economy in the year ahead is fragile as inflation continues to rise putting pressure on the Bank of England to increase interest rates. Good for savers, but potentially catastrophic for spenders.

Mindful of the fragility of the economy, at this year’s round of regional meetings we will focus on what drives business performance within an independent practice, especially in tough times.

What are the key drivers in the practice? How can you maximise dispensing opportunities? What are the financial fundamentals you should be looking out for? How can you build, motivate and sustain a great team that’s eager to give real value to each and every patient? These are just some of the questions that will be tackled at the October regional meetings that will visit 11 key geographic areas. In tough times we need to think and act differently. We need to re-evaluate what we do and how we do it. In short, we need to ensure that we are maximising opportunities to increase revenue and/or reduce costs. Our three speakers at this year’s regional meetings will give their interpretation of Driving Business Performance, approaching the subject from different but complementary angles.

Speakers

Robert Petrie

Synopsis of presentation

In his presentation Richard will discuss tools that are uniquely available to Sight Care member practices. You will discover how they work, what can be done to change things for the better, and how to monitor and measure improvements. He will also divulge hints and tips from forty years of practice life as well as inviting delegates to contribute their own ideas that will subsequently

Ian Thompson

Synopsis of presentation

In his presentation Ian will tease out all those commercial elements that raise their head on an almost daily basis. Do we understand P & L, balance sheet and cash flow? How important is stock control and how should it be managed? What does differentiate independent retailing from the chains? Who is our target market and how do we attract them? How can we manage red tape to advantage?

Stuart Powell

Synopsis of presentation

Good customer service has long been the hallmark differentiator of the successful independent practice, but in today’s increasingly competitive market, this is unfortunately no longer enough. Even great customer service isn’t always enough. So where do we go from there and what lies beyond plain old common sense customer service that can help drive business forward? Stuart’s presentation will give insights into what different retailers are doing to help stay ahead of the competition, and by looking at things from a different angle, enable us to see the steps we can all take to go beyond customer service.

The major sponsors are Grafton Optical and Coopervison and the dates are:

Our product portfolio has expanded significantly from its early days, and now ranges from highly sophisticated equipment such as the new 3D OCT for Optometry from Optovue, New Retinal Camera from Canon, and CSO and Shin Nippon Corneal Topographer to consulting room furniture like the stylish Combination Chair and Stand Units from Frastema (Italy). It also incorporates the UK’s leading Pachymeters from DGH, Auto Non-Contact Tonometers from Reichert, Portable Tonometer from Accutome, Slit Lamps and Digital Imaging Software (Japan and USA) and Computerised Test Charts such as the “SixSix” model developed in part by Grafton Optical.

To back up this extensive range of products, we have expanded to provide one of the finestTechnical Service Departments, employing engineers with the calibre and diversity of skillswhich are now required to support today’s equipment and in the future.

CooperVision is a world leading manufacturer of contact lenses and we share your passion for delivering the best possible eye care.

And when it comes to your patients’ contact lenses, we know they expect nothing less than exceptional vision, comfort and stability. We appreciate that no two eyes, no two patients and no two days are ever the same. We understand our lenses are one of many valuable ingredients in people’s daily lives. We know every wearer is unique, so we craft world-class lenses for both mainstream and challenging vision corrections, and we look for ways to make it easier for people to find the lenses that best fit their life.